Before River could think of what to say, another guard came in. He waltzed so casually, scratching somewhere between his legs.Without thinking, “What have you done with my daughter?" She gripped the bars and growled.The guard gave a cruel chuckle. "Seems the crazy witch finally woke up," he sneered. "You're in the dungeon, traitor. And your little pup? Who knows, maybe she's roaming the woods with the wild wolves by now."River's heart pounded like a trapped bird. The image of Rain, being torn apart by rogues ran to her in quick succession and she had to shake her head to send them off.She snarled, lunging for the guard from behind the bars. "Let me out! You will pay for this!" she roared, but her voice betrayed the fear swarming over her. The guard just shook his head and clicked his tongue. "We'll see about that," he scoffed and turned away with the other one, leaving River alone in the darkness.Alone, River thought she might go insane with worry. She didn't want to picture the
River stared into Gonzalo's remorseful eyes, her insides becoming a vortex of conflicting emotions. First, it was a relief to finally unburden herself. Then, it was fear that she had let someone in after years of isolating her heart. It became a terrifying prospect. Taking a shaky breath, she met his liquid gaze. "I accept your apology, Gonzalo. I was scared, clinging to the little pride I had left. But you deserve to know after seeing so much effort you are putting into redeeming yourself. And for my daughter, I am doing this. Rain deserves a father." A radiant smile bloomed on Gonzalo's face, chasing away the regret that had always been residing permanently on his face. Relief and pure joy radiated from him. He pulled her into a tight embrace and his arms became a comforting haven. "Thank you, River. Thank you for giving us a chance." He pulled back slightly, his eyes blazing with determination. "Now, let's find our daughter." "We need to go to this Lord Draven's mansion," he d
River felt a sudden wave of panic rising in her throat, making it hard to breathe. "Gone? But where could they have gone, Gonzalo? How could they have taken Rain? My girl is…” Her voice began to break as tears welled up in her eyes. “… just a little girl.”“I know, River. But the world is too complex to place your trust in anyone.” He sighed, hands on his hips as he glanced around.Funny how she never trusted Annemarie and her family, not even once. There was always that alien feeling somewhere deep within her, gnawing at her and yelling; “Don't trust them. Trust no one!”She was glad she followed her instincts and had lied to them regarding certain matters. Yet, just when she let her guard down, they took advantage of it and stole her daughter away.They would pay.Gonzalo knelt, sniffing the air like a hunting dog. A frown creased his brow. "I can try to follow their scent, see if they left any trail."Their trail? Nah. There was no how they could have walked. Her heart sank. "It w
Gonzalo pressed his lips into a thin line. “It won't, River. If I had to, I’d claw at the earth until I found water. My daughter must be found.”Together, they launched into a digging frenzy, clawing at the hard-packed earth with their bare hands. Minutes bled into what felt like an eternity. Just as despair was about to consume River again, when she was about to finally lose up and drown herself in a pool of self-pity, a familiar scent tickled her nose, sending a jolt of fear and recognition through her.That scent… she’d recognize it anywhere and anytime. Her entire body froze, her hands trembling at the realization. He was here. With great struggle with her muscles, she looked up to meet the chilling gaze of Lord Draven. He held a crumpled paper in his hand with a cruel smile on his lips as he flipped the paper. "Looking for this, little human?" His voice was as cold as he looked, giving River the chills.It was like being transported back seven years ago when he had found her le
A bewildered silence followed Lord Draven's chilling words. Swallowing in her fear, “S-so, do you know where she's taken?” River inquired. With his hands intertwined behind him, Lord Draven replied. “I know where they took her." River's voice was raw with desperate hope, so it came out loud and disrupted the silent tension between them. "You knew? You've been... watching us all along?" Lord Draven's crimson gaze met hers blandly. "Is that the pressing issue now, River, or getting Rain back?" Right, it wasn't like he would tell her anyway. "Of course it's Rain!" River exploded, nodding vigorously. "Where is she? Tell us!" Lord Draven’s words had just confirmed that Annemarie and her family were the ones who had abducted her daughter. Like, how could they…? That was outrageous. She expected better from them. “I have no idea why you are wasting time. If you know you want to help my daughter, tell us where they took her!” Gonzalo seethed from behind. River knew Gonzalo was holdin
“T-that’s not possible. A pack Alpha can not lead rogues. What the heck are you saying?” River couldn't help but to blurt out. The rogue clicked his tongue. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. This is why we kill you all as though you were fowls. How can a rogue wolf be under your nose for years without your knowledge? Well, if you must know, the real Alpha Echo was killed by us a long time ago. We had her killed with the help of some witches you harbored in your pack, again, living right under your noses. And guess what they did? They helped us make our leader into her clone. So what you have leading you since seven years ago is our leader.” River’s jaw nearly hit the floor. What the heck was this revelation? She had known, been wondering how possible it was for her sister to have switched up on her so easily. S-so that wasn't Echo all along? Oh, gods. Their pack was on the verge of ruin. Also, grief slammed into her like a truck colliding with a pedestrian. Echo, her sister was dead. Long dead, and
Lord Draven didn't protest as he cradled his wounded arm. “Whatever. I have my arm to tend to anyway.” He hissed.Without further ado, he sprinted off, leaving Gonzalo alone with River. They must follow instantly! River’s heart pounded. Lord Draven didn't wait for them because he was mad at Gonzalo.As if he could read River’s mind, “I'm transforming now, so climb on.” Gonzalo instructed her, his human form already morphing away at the edges. "Hold tight!"River nodded and waited for him to fully contort and transform. When he was done, he howled at her and she launched herself onto his broad back as his powerful legs pumped, transforming him back into a magnificent silver wolf in a flurry of fur and snapping bone. The wind whipped through River's hair as they chased after Lord Draven, the ground becoming a blur beneath them. Her heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination fueling her spirit. Finally, the vampire came to a halt before a towering structure. It was an ancient t
The witches whirled around, their red robes swirling like a malevolent flower. Their faces were a mix of ages and ethnicities. And all of it? They were contorted into one of surprise and rage. The chanting sputtered to a halt, replaced by a clamor of gasps and muttered curses. Annemarie who was caught mid-incantation, shrieked as the power in her voice faltered. The ceremonial knife wobbled in her hand, the tip dipping precariously close to Rain's pale skin. River's scream echoed through the large chamber, bouncing off the ancient stones and amplifying her fury. Her eyes which were usually a warm emerald, now glowed with a startling silver light. It was a reflection of her awakened power… of her true nature.The vial in her hand slipped and was forgotten to the dusty floor, the ethereal glow fading as more potent magic thrummed beneath her skin. Fury surged through River, shortly eclipsing the fear that had gripped her. Her daughter’s life was on the line. These people had hurt he